The University of Connecticut 's men's basketball team, lead by coach Jim Calhoun, arrives to a welcome ceremony for the NCAA champion team at Bradley International Airport on Tuesday, April 5, 2011.
Photo: Lindsay Niegelberg

The University of Connecticut 's men's basketball coach Jim Calhoun and players Kemba Walker, Donnell Beverly and Charles Okwandu arrive to a ceremony for the NCAA champion team at Bradley International Airport on Tuesday, April 5, 2011.
Photo: Lindsay Niegelberg

The University of Connecticut 's men's basketball coach Jim Calhoun...

University of Connecticut men's basketball coach Jim Calhoun speaks to a small crowd which braved cold temperature, wind and rain to attend a welcome ceremony for the NCAA champion team at Bradley International Airport on Tuesday, April 5, 2011.
Photo: Lindsay Niegelberg

Catarina Petrovic, 5, supports the Huskies with stickers on her cheeks during a welcome ceremony for the NCAA champion team at Bradley International Airport on Tuesday, April 5, 2011.
Photo: Lindsay Niegelberg

The University of Connecticut's men's basketball team, lead by coach Jim Calhoun and player Kimba Walker, arrive to a welcome ceremony for the NCAA champion team at Bradley International Airport on Tuesday, April 5, 2011.
Photo: Lindsay Niegelberg

University of Connecticut men's basketball coach Jim Calhoun speaks to a small crowd which braved cold temperature, wind and rain to attend a welcome ceremony for the NCAA champion team at Bradley International Airport on Tuesday, April 5, 2011.
Photo: Lindsay Niegelberg

UCONN fans pour into the stands to get a good seat to see the men's...

UCONN's Kemba Walker is overcome with emotion as his number is unveiled on the wall during a rally held for the men's basketball team at Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, Conn. on Friday April 5, 2011. With Walker on stage is Head Coach Jim Calhoun, left, and teammates Alex Oriakhi and Jeremy Lamb, at right.
Photo: Christian Abraham

UCONN's Kemba Walker is overcome with emotion as his number is unveiled on the wall during a rally held for the men's basketball team at Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, Conn. on Friday April 5, 2011. With Walker on stage is Head Coach Jim Calhoun, left, and teammates Alex Oriakhi and Jeremy Lamb, at right.
Photo: Christian Abraham

UCONN's Kemba Walker poses for photos with fans and team mascott Jonathan XIII, during a rally held for the men's basketball team at Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, Conn. on Tuesday April 5, 2011.
Photo: Christian Abraham

UCONN's Kemba Walker poses for photos with fans and team mascott Jonathan XIII, during a rally held for the men's basketball team at Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, Conn. on Tuesday April 5, 2011.
Photo: Christian Abraham

Fans start to fill Gampel Pavilion on the Storrs campus as they await the arrival of the UConn men's basketball team. The school is hosting a rally for the 2011 NCAA Champion Huskies.
Photo: Christian Abraham

The UConn head coach was far too excited after the Huskies won their third national championship Monday night with a 53-41 victory over Butler to worry about resting.

Even at 68 years old.

A night of celebration spilled into Tuesday when the team took a charter flight back and received two welcome home parties.

With a few flakes of snow mixed into a steady downpour of rain, the Huskies were greeted by about 200 fans outside Bradley International Airport when the team landed in the afternoon before busing to campus for a larger indoor celebration.

"You are the best fans and students to possibly support a basketball team," Calhoun later told the crowd of more than 7,500 at Gampel Pavilion.

Some of them might also qualify as the wettest as well, but it was all worth it to see their team.

Enfield resident Sue Webb was the first to arrive at the airfield, pulling in around 1 p.m., but waited until to close to 3 before joining about 30-plus fans already outside on a soggy spring day in Windsor Locks.

"It was hard getting up but I didn't care," said Webb, ranking this title, which was wrapped up around 11:30 p.m. Monday night, at the top.

"I think it's more special what they have done. They were counted out, but we showed them."

UConn was hardly even counted in to start the season, being picked to finish 10th in the Big East.

Troy, who said he claimed his front-row spot around 2 p.m., watched the game in New York City on Monday night.

"It's New England, it's normal," Troy joked about the weather. "I'm from Hebron and Storrs is probably closer than Bradley, but I wanted to come here and see them get off the plane at least."

Troy said there was plenty of buzz about the Huskies down in New York after the game and on the train ride home.

The noise continued in Storrs on Tuesday night with the crowd roaring its approval for everyone but Athletic Director Jeff Hathaway during the introduction part of the ceremony.

The loudest ovations were saved for Calhoun and Walker, who became the first active player -- and 14th overall -- to be inducted into the program's Huskies of Honor.

When his number was unveiled, Walker broke down in tears before addressing fans that could not get enough "Kemba Walker" and "One more year" chants in during the half-hour ceremony.

"I want to thank you guys because without you (this wouldn't have happened)," Walker said.

Earlier in the day, Walker told the fans at the airport "we're national champs. Let's do it again next year." However, the Huskies might have to attempt a repeat without Walker, who is expected to declare for the NBA draft and skip his final season. Walker is expected to graduate from UConn in May.

The future of Walker's head coach might be a different story.

"Right now I am just going to enjoy this moment," Calhoun said when asked about his future plans. "I want to think things over a little bit. I love this university, and how can you not be enthused when you walk into a building like this with our students? And they are so important to us."

Almost as important as victory number 855 for Calhoun, which capped a dream season that began with a title at the Maui Classic and ended with not only a Big East tournament title during an 11-game win streak, but an NCAA crown, too.

"All of our teams have been different and very special in their own right," said Calhoun, who also won titles in 1999 and 2004. "This is a very special team that I think historically is one of the most special teams in the history of the NCAA tournament."

The 7,500-plus that turned out to welcome the Huskies home won't argue with that statement.